On the occasion of the International Youth Day, USAID Bangladesh, Women and Girls Lead Global (WGLG) and EMK Center have jointly organised a screening of Town of Runners today at 6pm at the EMK Center, under the Gender Seminar and Women of the World Film Series.
Town of Runners is a documentary about the extraordinary record of one small Ethiopian town in producing world-class long-distance athletes. Jerry Rothwell’s film offers a dispassionate inspection of Bekoji, and introduces us to genial coach Sentayehu Eshetu, the man who spots potential champions and brings them on. There is no magical answer – other than a desire to escape grinding poverty – any aspiring Olympian has plenty of obstacles to overcome.
Set against the background of the seasonal rhythms of a farming region, the film showcases the impact of increased urbanisation and globalisation on agriculture, focussing on how rural young Africans strive to make their own future.
Entry is free, subject to preregistration here: goo.gl/bzXYyV